New parents often learn how to swaddle their infant from the nurses in the hospital. A blanket wrapped snuggly around your baby’s body can resemble the mother’s womb and help soothe your newborn baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that when done correctly, swaddling can be an effective technique to help calm infants and promote sleep.
As second-generation swaddling and baby sleep products become available to parents, the issue of safe swaddling becomes even more important. Always be sure that when using any infant sleep garment, swaddle, blanket, or sleep bag, that the garment is properly positioned on babies body so as to avoid the garment coming up over babies nose and face.
Always make sure that your baby is not over-dressed and avoid over-heating by only using breathable baby sleep garments, blankets, or sleep bags, preferably 100% cotton products. If baby begins to roll to side or roll to tummy, it is no longer safe to swaddle your baby for sleeping. Be sure to pay attention to the rolling to side or rolling to tummy movements that your baby makes during floor play or tummy time.
AAP Safe Sleep Recommendations:
- Place your baby on her back to sleep, and monitor her to be sure she doesn’t roll over while swaddled.
- Do not have any loose blankets in your baby’s crib. A loose blanket, including a swaddling blanket that comes unwrapped, could cover your baby’s face and increase the risk of suffocation.
- Keep your baby’s crib free of bumper pads, soft bedding, wedges, toys, pillows and positioners.
- Your baby is safest in her own crib or bassinet, not in your bed.
- Swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, so avoid letting your baby get too hot. The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, and rapid breathing.
- Consider using a pacifier for naps and bedtime.
- Place the crib in an area that is always smoke-free.
About video: Linda Richardson, baby nurse to the stars, discusses why swaddling is important and shows how to swaddle a baby.
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